In Daniel 9:20-27, he discusses a decree for Israel. First, in verse 25, he begins laying out the timeline from the command to rebuild and restore Jerusalem (the book of Nehemiah) until the Messiah comes will be 69 sevens. I won’t get into all the math, but that is roughly 483 years (69 x 7). There is one “seven” left, or one period of seven years left. There will be a ruler who comes and takes over (the Anti-Christ). In the middle of the seven, he will break the treaty with Israel, and do a lot of bad things. In other words, he will do this 3 1/2 years into the last seven, or what we would call the Tribulation period.

Now we believe the Rapture is the next event because of the doctrine of immencency (He will come as a thief in the night). It states in 1 Thessalonans 1:10 and 1 Thessalonians 5:9 that we will be saved from the wrath to come. However, the “wrath” doesn’t actually start until 3 1/2 years into the tribulation. However, if we were pulled out of here right before the wrath, then we would be able to count off and know when the rapture will take place, because it’s 3 1/2/ years into the last seven. Hence, the thief in the night experience wouldn’t come true, as well as Jesus’ statement that none of us will know the day nor the hour (Matthew 24:36).

However, what’s confusing is that it seems that Jesus meshes the rapture (Matthew 24:40-41) with the experience of the wrath (like the days of Noah). So, hmmm, I’m confused.

That’s why I stated Sunday God doesn’t want us to worry about WHEN, but HOW we need to live in light of the fact that these things will happen. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 and 2 Peter 3.

To begin the discussion about the rapture, I want to simplify one thing: what are we waiting for next on God’s “end times” calendar?

For all intents and purposes, we really only have two choices: 1) the rise of the anti-christ, or 2) the rapture. Throughout the span of the church, people have been waiting for both. They thought Hitler was the Anti-Christ and they thought that the rapture would happen in 1988. Why? I don’t remember – get the book.

Anyway, we at Lake Center are kind of waiting for both. We believe in a pre-tribulation rapture. That mumbo-jumbo simply means that God will make our bodies and souls disappear in an instant to meet Christ in the air and take us to heaven for a period of time. That period of time is the tribulation, or the Day of the Lord. The tribulation is supposed to last 7 years (Daniel 9:24-27). The first 3 1/2 years is going to be peaceful because some world leader will rise up and take over the world, and the world will love it. We believe the rapture will be the key thing this person needs in order to take over the world because all of the pesky Christians are out of the way. The rapture will create world-wide chaos and they will need someone to settle their hearts (much like Adolf did in Germany – hence the thought he was the Anti-Christ).

The anti-christ will sign a peace treaty with Israel and everything will be hunky dory (where did that phrase come from?). Then, he will do a lot of bad things (Daniel 9), break the treaty with Israel, and then God will break the earth by unleashing his wrath in the last 3 1/2 years (Revelation 6-19). So it is kind of a simultaneous thing. We are kind of waiting to see what person could possibly be powerful enough to unite the entire world because he will have to already be pretty powerful in order to assume power right after the rapture. That’s why you heard all of the spastic Christians declare our current president is the the Anti-Christ in light of his charisma, his name, and his ability to sway people. Too bad his approval ratings are so low.

So we are waiting for both. Next: will the rapture occur before or after he takes over the world?

I am an intense person. I like living an intense life. I’m sorry.

No seriously – I’m sorry. So many times I have yelled from the pulpit that we need to live the intensity found in the Scriptures. I am not sorry for that statement, but for the subliminal message I was sending when I made that statement from the pulpit. I came across in a way that suggests if you’re not living the level of intensity of Greg Stewart, then obviously you weren’t sold out for Christ.

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 tells us to make it our ambition to lead QUIET lives, to mind our own business, and to work with our hands. This seems to suggest that we need to not be spastic. There is a standard within the Scriptures that is hard to attain, but we must try. Likewise, we are to lead our families, live our lives, and simply be good examples to those around us. Surprisingly simple.

In going through our current series “Clarity in the midst of Chaos” – I thought it would be good to lay out the key principles we have covered thus far.

Chapter 1: when you are in the midst of chaos, cycle through the beautiful triad of faith, hope, and love. First, label your faith. Put words to it. What must you have faith in during this time? Second, hope. What can you hope in? What do you know to be true about hope? Finally, love. The pain we experience in the midst of chaos has one strange benefit: it softens us and helps us love better and love more. We become so tender when we are hurting. We recieve love and we give love.

Chapter 2: when you are accused, become clear about the core of the accusation. Is there truth in the accusation? Be teachable. Second, when you are accused, can you use the “as you know” principle? What is that? You can deny the accusation adn say, “As you know . . .” and then go on to give proof of your actions that makes it obvious that the accusation is not true. Or if it’s partially true, you can point to the fact that you agree with it and are doing everything you can to change your character.

Chapter 3: the clarity is in relational passion. Is there anyone you are passionate about when it comes to their spiritual growth? What level of intensity do you have towards other people and their spiritual growth. Name them. Call them, email them, or write them to ask them how they are doing. Encourage them – give them verses. Tell them what God is teaching you.

What techniques have you done to stay spiritually “clear” in the midst of your chaos?

I wrote a paper for seminary that addresses the issue of the tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility.  In the paper I also walk through the gospel of John.

Click here to view the paper.

I hope it challenges you!

This week, I will be touching on the doctrine of election. As we walked through the first chapter in 1 Thessalonians, we read that Paul told those believers that he was convinced of their election of God.

The doctrine of election is frankly quite mind-blowing. Before we allow our minds to get twisted in the concept itself, let’s simply walk through the teaching of it.

In Ephesians chapter 1, there are some pretty pointed statements about the idea of election. Verse 4 is the key. It says that God “chose” us (same Greek word as in 1 Thess 1). What does it mean that He chose us? Logically, it’s the exact opposite of man choosing God.

He chose us “before the creation of the world”. This is before you and I obviously had an opportunity to sin. He chose us to be holy and blameless.

Now this is a little gray, but it is slammed home in verse 5. God predestined us to be adopted as his sons. Our destiny was set even before we were born to get saved (adopted). We are sons – the term used over and over again for the metaphor for salvation.

God chose us before the creation of world to get saved Wow.

It became obviouse to Paul that the believers in Thessalonica were adopted in light of how they responded to the gospel. It radically transformed their lives.

A few years ago, when I was at my parent’s house, we started talking about the Scriptures and I wanted to look something up. I joked with them and asked, “Where do you store your Bibles?” This, of course, insinuated that they never read the Scriptures and simply put them away in storage in between weekend services.

In 2 Kings 22, King Josiah takes the throne of Judah at a mere 8 years old. A full 18 years passed when King Josiah told a priest to collect offerings from the temple. In fulfilling his duty, Hilkiah the high priest “finds” the Book of the Law. Finds? That means it was lost, hidden away in an unknown location.

Sometimes it is very difficult to verify perfect cause and effect relationships. One current battle is the relationship between how we use fossil fuels and its relationship with climate change. Another one is how video games affect children’s behavior. Scientific testing seeks to discover not only if there is a relationship between fossil fuels and climate change, but also how much of a relationship. Psychologists research the same things when it comes to video games and children’s behavior. Even if a relationship can be found, it’s not always a one-to-one relationship, which simply means there are other factors involved. A percentage of climate change may be affected by the use of fossil fuels, but how much? Is there something else that either is affecting climate change more or in a significant enough way that we have to be just as concerned about that as we are about fossil fuels? What percentage does video games affect children’s behaviors and is there something else that is affecting children’s behaviors just as much, if not more? What about parental influence, peer influence, or simple freewill choice?

I say all of this to help you develop critically thinking skills in general, but also to point out a correlation that can be found in 2 Kings 22. I think we can all be very secure that there is a direct correlation between exposure to the Word of God and behaviors. The Israelites used the Book of the Law so little that they actually forgot where it was even located? King Josiah, where do you store your Bible? My what?

When the high priest found the Book of the Law and read it to King Josiah, he tore his clothes in despair. He soon realized how far his people had strayed from following God. Exposure to the Scriptures directly relates to behaviors. But wait, it’s not a one-to-one correlations. Why? C’mon – think about it. Is there anyone who is exposed the Bible on a regular basis but still doesn’t change his or her behavior? Ah! Welcome personal choice.

The Book of the Law affected King Josiah’s behavior because his heart was teachable. How do I know that? His response. Whenever you and I are exposed to truth, we quickly find out how teachable we are. You and I both know of people who, when exposed to the truth, make excuses, get defensive, or turn the table and attack the truth-tellers. Nowhere is this more offensive and disheartening than with believers.

Our entire Christian experience begins with teachability. Teachability is a basic attitude that says, “I know I am blind in many areas of my life and I need insight and help in growing.” When we come to the cross for the first time, we are saying, “God, I am blind and I am asking you to forgive me of my sins. You know all, and I am clueless. Please forgive me and allow me to spend eternity with you. I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and what He did for me on the cross.” It’s a beautiful, humble moment. King Josiah had a similar experience.

However, for some reason, the Israelites, and many Christians, somehow lose that attitude of teachability. How do I know? I have given truth to many believers and they make excuses, get defensive, or turn the table and attack me. When it comes to blatant sin, it’s easy to come to peace with the conflict. However, when you speak truth into someone’s life and it’s not a blatant sin issue, their maturity and teachability is truly revealed. Personal growth involves all truth. The attitude of teachability should be ubiquitous (ever-present) in and throughout your life. Many of us are so motivated to seek truth and grow. The principle: Whenever you think you’ve “arrived”, you are further away than you’ve ever been. One simple acid test: how do you respond when truth is given to you?

King Josiah was exposed to truth and reformed Judah and had a revival. The Pharisees were exposed to the Scriptures on a regular basis but thought they had “arrived” and there downfall was secure.

Questions:
Is there any blatant sin in my life? What do the Scriptures say?
If not, how powerful of a believer am I? What do other people say? Ask as many people as you can this question: “Where am I blind?” and “How can I grow?” Ask your spouse, your family, and most importantly, those who don’t think the world of you.
Don’t you just love pain?

1 Kings 8
This was definitely a high point of the people of God. Solomon just finished building the temple where God would reside. Up to this point, He had only dwelt in a tent, but now a temple was built and it was an incredibly powerful moment. Look at verses 10 and 11: “When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the LORD. And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled his temple.” Whoa.

At this moment of intensity, King Solomon is blown away and he has no choice but to praise the God of heaven. He has one theme in his praise: God has fulfilled His promises.

From the moment God brought Israel out of Egypt until that very moment, God fulfilled promises. If you have been reading through the Old Testament, you will feel that it has been a roller coaster ride. You will also quickly realize that between man and God, only one of us didn’t keep their word.

One mental technique I use to help keep myself faithful until the end is the principle of “what do I want to feel when I look back?” Think about the times you have failed; the times you listened to your sinful impulses and you were so driven emotionally to flesh out those impulses. You felt so right, and then it was over. You reflected and then repented to the God of heaven. Why can’t we have those reflections and those emotions before we listen and live out our impulses? Ugh! The God of our Lord Jesus Christ will keep his promise: As far as the east is from the west, I will remove your transgressions from you. Beautiful promises.

Solomon doesn’t stop there – he turns to the altar – the center of sacrifice, and dedicates the temple. The outline of his prayer is as follows:

1. Declaration of the character of God (23-24)
2. Pleading with God to keep His promises (25-26)
3. Be here, stay here, and forgive! (27-30)
4. Bring justice! (31-32)
5. If you punish us because we’ve blown it, and turn to you again, forgive! (33-34)
6. If you punish us because we’ve blown it, and turn to you again, forgive! (35-36)
7. If you punish us because we’ve blown it, and turn to you again, forgive! (37-40)
8. If Gentiles come and seek you, grant their requests! (41-43)
9. If your people are far away and turn toward you, grant their requests! (44-45
10. If you punish us because we’ve blown it, and turn to you again, forgive! (46-51)
11. May you answer us when we cry out to you! (52-53)

Are you sensing a pattern here? The temple is the place of sacrifice, forgiveness, and worship. God’s people come to the presence of God to acknowledge the sacrifice, seek forgiveness, and worship the God of heaven. How much more, Christian, do we need to believe and accept His sacrifice, forgiveness, and then turn to worship Him?

He has promised to forgive if we come to Him with a repentant heart – that is His promise! He has also promised to punish if we reject and turn away from Him. The perfect balance of grace and truth (John 1:14). Which mindset do you need today? What word (grace or truth) will draw you closer to Him?